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100% Glove Manufacturers & Innovators
6
Manufacturing Facilities
50+
Researchers Globally
6000
Employees
2.2
Billion Single Use Gloves Produced Annually
450
Millions Pairs Reusable Gloves Produced Annually
100+
Owned Patents
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About Showa
We manufacture high quality PPE gloves
VERTICALLY INTEGRATED GLOBAL MANUFACTURER = SYNERGY ACROSS THE GLOBE FOR REGIONAL MARKETS BENEFITS
Showa’s Glove Factories
We Are SHOWA
SHOWA® is a fully integrated, global manufacturer specializing in high-quality industrial hand protection. We maintain complete control over our entire supply chain, from machinery and materials to design and production, ensuring 100% quality control at every stage.
SHOWA make protective gloves for all industries and applications/usage for hand protection. Our glove PPE solutions are grouped into seven major product families or Clusters:
SHOWA: A PERFECT BALANCE
SHOWA literally means “finding a balance between different elements” in Japanese. This principle is much more than just a formula; it is at the heart of our approach and requires full control of all stages.
SHOWA revolutionized Personal hand protection equipment with the introduction of the world’s first PVC glove in 1953. SHOWA leads the world in innovation with the introduction of industry-firsts such as fully coated, very flexible PVC, flat-dip innovation with natural rubber, cut-resistant gloves with unmatched protection and comfort, crinkle finish natural rubber gloves that provide puncture and cut resistance over the past 70+ years.
Most notably, SHOWA developed the world’s first disposable nitrile glove, and the industry’s first biodegradable product line with our Eco Best Technology (EBT) in the glove industry across single-use and reusable product offerings.
A LEGACY OF INNOVATION: AKEO TANAKA, FOUNDER
SHOWA’s origin story begins with a soldier’s vision. Witnessing firsthand the inadequacy of hand protection, Akeo Tanaka was driven to revolutionise the industry. His breakthrough? In 1953, he invented the world’s first PVC glove – a solution blending safety with the practicality that he had learnt from his time developing PVC ink cartridges for premium fountain pens.
This innovation led to the launch of SHOWA in 1954, built on a foundation of integrity, harmony, and customer trust. Tanaka’s vision continues to shape our commitment to excellence and customer-centricity.
SETTING THE STANDARD FOR HAND PROTECTION
At SHOWA, quality and innovation are not just goals, they are our foundation. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and our comprehensive PPE expertise, we deliver the ultimate in hand protection.
This unwavering commitment to consistent excellence is why millions worldwide trust and rely on SHOWA.
KEY MILESTONES
1954
Company Founded
Manufactured the world’s first PVC gloves.
1985/1989
PU Palm-Coated Glove
Launched the first ever PU palm-coated glove, **SHOWA B0500**.
1992
Latex-Free Nitrile Glove
The world’s first 100% nitrile, latex-free glove, **Best N-DEX**, was launched.
1994
Improved Dipping Method
**SHOWA 310** developed with an improved dipping method: latex is coated onto the knitting directly, providing permanent flexibility and durability.
2005
Breathable & Waterproof
Developed and launched the first glove with breathable and waterproof technology, **TEMRES 280**.
2007
Acquisition
SHOWA acquires Best Manufacturing (founded in 1951).
2012
Biodegradable Gloves
Invented the world’s first biodegradable disposable gloves, **GREEN-DEX**.
2014
Brand Revamp
Following the acquisition of Best, the SHOWA logo was revamped to reflect a unified global brand.
2021
ChemRest Launch
Launch of **ChemRest**, an online tool to help users select appropriate chemical-resistant hand protection.
2024
SHOWA MFT PRO
Launched **SHOWA MFT PRO** ‘Performance by Design’ delivering a new standard of performance and comfort.
2025
New Factory (6th Total)
Opens a new state-of-the-art, Single Use glove factory in Sakaide, Japan, making a total of 6 manufacturing facilities.
2026
President Appointment
Yuichiro Tanaka appointed current President.
MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE: MASTERY MEETS ASSURANCE
Experience the SHOWA difference. We engineer perfection in every glove. Our uniquely designed gloves provide superior comfort, agility, and productivity thanks to our bespoke formers to ensure the glove fits to the curvature of the human hand. We prioritize your safety with advanced allergy and odour reduction processes.
Uniquely, we perform 100% visual inspection on every product, guaranteeing quality you can trust. We are environmentally committed, comply with ISO 14000, and are supported by unparalleled production and machinery management expertise.
Read more about SHOWA
SHOWA GLOVES Japan
- Himeji, Japan
- Founded in 1954
- Employees: N/A
- Main Production: PVC flock lined
- Capacity: 15 million pairs/year
- 4 production lines
SHOWA GLOVES GUATEMALA, PUERTO BARRIOS
- Capital Investment to fund expansion to double capacity by 2024
- Certified TAA Compliant Products
- Eco Best Technology (EBT) platform available for all products
- Puerto Barrios, Izabal, Guatemala
- Founded in 1985
- Employees: 239
- Total Output
- 7 production lines
- 84 knitting machines
- Products from this plant:
- Neoprene supported fully coated; spray coated.
- Nitrile supported palm; fully coated
- Latex knitting and supported palm; fully coated
- PVC supported palm; PVC knitted supported full coated.
SHOWA GLOVES VIETNAM CO., LTD.
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Founded in 2003
- Employees: 1 800
- Total Output:
- 8 production lines
- 1 000 knitting machines
- Gloves production from this plant:
- Nitrile Palm Coated
- Foamed Nitrile Palm / ¾ coated/ fully coated
- Latex Palm / fully coated
SHOWA GLOVES MALAYSIA
- Perlis, Malaysia
- Founded in 1989
- Employees: 2 200
- Total Output
- 26 production lines
- 3 000 knitting machines
- Products from this plant:
- PU Palm/Fingertip/fully coated
- Latex Palm/ ¾ coated
- PVC Unlined/ Supported
- Non-coated Knitted Glove
SHOWA GLOVES Myanmar
- Founded 2015
- Employees: 700
- Main production
- Knitted Shell (Parts of finished goods)
